Burton Valley Elementary School

561 Merriewood Drive

School District

Lafayette Elementary
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

School Map for Lafayette Elementary School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on August 30, 2020

we adore BVE and couldn't be happier with our time here.
Submitted by parent on July 10, 2019

Overall we have had an exceptional experience at Burton Valley Elementary. the after care program, Merriewood, is amazing as well. While the school is larger than others in the district, the sense of belonging, care, and mutual respect among all students is absolutely amazing.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2018

New to the Lafayette area and we are overall happy with the school and neighborhood community surrounding BVE in comparison to our previous school experience out of state. Everyone has been friendly and inclusive to both my kids and myself as a new parent to the area. BVE has a great balance of academics, music, art, science and sports. The after school program provided by Merriewood is great for full-time working parents. Weekly communications from the teacher, principal and superintendent are helpful to stay connected to what is happening at the school. The new Principal Dolley is doing a great job in keeping a positive school environment. I couldn't be happier with our decision to move to Lafayette and the Burton Valley neighborhood.
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2017

I have 2 kids at BVE currently and will soon have a 3rd. I could not be happier with the quality of education and equally important, the involvement of the parents. Yes, the school is larger but so is life and I appreciate the approach many of the teachers' apply to the curriculum. My wife is an educator in the area and from her perspective, BVE is a down-to-earth school that is very successful at preparing students for the challenges ahead.
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2017

Have never had an issue w bullying. Teachers were accommodating when I asked for higher level work for my child.
Submitted by parent on October 12, 2016

I'm another person who moved to Lafayette for the schools and ended up disappointed. The schools have a great reputation but Burton is first of all, in the middle of nowhere. If you don't live in Burton Valley, it's a trek to get out there with a ton of traffic and once you are there, there is no reason to stay. This is problematic for working parents and people who live outside of Burton Valley. The other issue is that the school is too big. They really need to consider opening another elementary in Lafayette. There are lots of issues that are bound to come up in a school of this size - especially if you have a young kindergartener who has to attend Burton and aftercare and Merriewood. Lastly, I wasn't impressed with the curriculum - not a lot of creativity, very cookie cutter, lots of worksheets. I get the feeling the school has been operating the same way for years and is not in touch with current research regarding childhood development. They push reading hard with reading lab and testing to the point where my son started hating reading. We switched to private and we are much happier, well worth the money than deal with this mediocre, big school.
Submitted by parent on October 09, 2014

Dont waste your money. We chose our home specifically so our children could go to Burton Valley. After 5 years we had had enough. The teachers are mediocre at best. The classes are often inundated with children that the teachers cannot handle, who distract their peers from learning. The families are exclusive and small minded- think it's cool to provide their second graders with instagram and texting. Bullying and girl meaness is rampant and the school turns their heads. Basic safety issues are ignored. In 2012 there was a Norovirus outbreak at the school, Contra Costa public health recommended that all classrooms institute handwashing before meals. This was not enforced and teachers acted imposed upon when asked to do so. They still don't wash their hands before lunch. The school is too big and the adminstration is barely treading water. Lafayette School or Springhill are better choices. Don't waste your money in Burton Valley-unless the sorority/fraternity atmosphere with no family values appeals to you.
Submitted by parent on June 07, 2014

As many do, we bought our home in part, because it was in this school district. I expected to love the school. Kindergarten was a big disappointment with teachers that were " phoning it in". In fact, one even told me "TGIF" as she turned away from, rather than deal with, two students physically fighting. What's worse, the lack of responsiveness. Teachers did not even reply to my email(s) letting them know one student had threatened my child. After that it took three calls to the principal (over a week) to get her to return my call. Once we meet, the principal was extremely concerned, but clearly vested in protecting her teachers. ...too little, too late. I know there are some wonderful teachers at the school. My suggestion is only to be aware that they aren't all great, or even decent.
Submitted by other on April 13, 2014

This school is very fun and well. We have many fun field trips, lots of ways to do fun math, writing, and other subjects. Burton Valley also have a very strict rule about NO PEANUTS OR TREE NUTS, or other nuts. Burton Valley's food is not bad, yet not very good. We have break and lunch, have a great library, great art teachers, fun teachers who are strict, yet fun, and too many more things:). For some people who may have trouble reading, we have a classroom call READING LAB. If people have a bit of trouble talking, they can go to SPEECH. Burton Valley also has a MARYWOOD for children who's family might have work after school and can't pick they up. GREAT BURTON VALLEY FOR KINDTERGARDEN-5 Grade:):):):):).
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2014

Don't go here if you have a bright child. They don't "believe in" acceleration. Your child will have the opportunity to top out at average, nothing more. After many discussions with my daughter's teacher, getting absolutely nowhere, with her reading scores actually declining from where they were at her previous school in another city, I dislike this school strongly.
Submitted by parent on May 02, 2013

Great teachers from K to 5th. Lots of fun fieldtrips, and a very happy atmosphere. One added perk: kids from Burton do much better as they move to Stanley Middle School because they've been able to make more friends in various classes vs. those from smaller schools.
Submitted by parent on May 01, 2013

Having recently moved from an area where my children attended private schools, Burton Valley is our first public school experience. I am so impressed with the quality of our Kinder Garden classrooms and the parent involvement is outstanding. My son's class is diverse in culture and Mrs. Reed and Mrs. Micallef are amazing. We are still new to Burton Valley, being that this is our first year and only have positive things to say about this school thus far.
Submitted by parent on May 07, 2012

Whether or ot a school is "great" depends vastly on who you ask. Most parents at BVE that are from "around here" and have know only BVE or other California public schools will tell you they love the school. However, if you ask people who have had their kids in public schools in other states, you will hear a different story. So yes, by some standards this school is perhaps a 9 or 10 out of 10 but maybe we need to adjust our standards instead of patting ourselves on our backs saying how lovely it is here.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2011

I've been a BVE parent for 8 years (3 kids) and ours is a multi-cultural, hispanic family. I was sad to see comments that the community is not diverse, one poster even calling their neighbors "stepford wives". Get involved in one of the many fun school events or step inside a classroom, and you'll see a broad range of students and parents who have one thing in comming: they clearly care about education. I value the dynamic, high quality of teaching here, the safe environment, and the inclusion of character building as part of the curriculum. My children have enjoyed everything from instrumental music instruction to extra-curricular theater production. I couldn't ask for a better learning environment for my children.